Patriot Battery Metals Achieves Milestones in Environmental Certification and Reporting

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – November 12, 2024 – Sydney, Australia

Key Updates

• The Company has received the UL 2723 ECOLOGO^® Certification for Mineral Exploration, a rigorous program that involves independent auditing of environmental, social, and economic practices.
• The 2023 Sustainable Development Report has been published.
• Major environmental baseline data collection efforts have been successfully executed to support the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the CV5 Pegmatite, with plans for submission in late 2025.
  • The fieldwork results align with the Company’s expectations, and attention will now shift to completing the ESIA documentation, aimed for the third quarter of 2025.
• The Company’s website has been updated to enhance the transparency of its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information.

Ken Brinsden, President, CEO, & Managing Director for the Company, stated: “We take pride in achieving the UL 2723 ECOLOGO^® Certification. This accolade emphasizes Patriot’s commitment to sustainability in our active exploration project located in Québec. Furthermore, our advancements in Sustainable Development are detailed in our 2023 report, and we have enriched our website to provide improved insights into our ESG efforts.”

Alix Drapack, Executive VP ESG for the Company, remarked: “The collection of environmental baseline data for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project commenced in 2022, continuing through 2023 and 2024 with the aid of WSP and Niigaan, a Cree enterprise. We have greatly appreciated the involvement of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, whose local knowledge has been invaluable. After dealing with a challenging field season in 2023, we found 2024 to be a favorable period for data collection, and we remain on track to submit our comprehensive ESIA in the latter half of 2025.”

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Patriot”) PMET PMT PMETF (FSE: R9GA) is providing an update on three significant ESG initiatives and a summary of its 2024 environmental baseline data collection program at the 100%-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property, formerly known as Corvette. This Property is situated in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, accessible year-round via an all-season road and close to key regional infrastructure.

Details on UL 2723 ECOLOGO^® Certification

On September 30, 2024, Patriot received the UL 2723 ECOLOGO^® Certification for Mineral Exploration Companies after completing the final phase of the audit process. This included a thorough review of the audit results, the use of the ECOLOGO^® mark, and registration in UL’s SPOT sustainable product database.

The UL ECOLOGO^® Certification represents the first comprehensive certification for mineral exploration companies, validated by an independent third-party audit covering their environmental, social, and economic practices. Further details can be found on the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada website at: UL Canada.

On November 17, 2023, Patriot submitted its Policies and Procedures Manual to Underwriters Laboratories of Canada for the desktop audit. The UL auditor reviewed this documentation and granted the certification on September 30, 2024. A field visit to the Shaakichiuwaanaan Site by the UL auditor is scheduled for early next year.

2023 Sustainable Development Report

Patriot is proud to share its first annual Sustainable Development Report. This report encompasses the activities of Patriot Battery Metals Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Innova Lithium Inc., with a focus on the fully-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Project located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. Titled “The Beginning of Our Journey,” the report outlines the Company’s sustainable development efforts from January 1 to December 31, 2023, and offers insight into the Company’s vision and ESG strategies.

Looking Ahead

Patriot Battery Metals Advances Environmental Assessment for Shaakichiuwaanaan Project

Substantial Progress on Environmental Baseline Data for Shaakichiuwaanaan

In November 2023, Patriot Battery Metals submitted the Preliminary Information Statement to the Québec Government (Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, or “MELCCFP”) for its Shaakichiuwaanaan Project—previously known as Corvette. This project is situated in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. By April 2024, the Company received guidelines from MELCCFP that outline the scope of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which is set for completion in the latter half of 2025.

The collection of environmental baseline data began in 2022 and 2023 and is ongoing with the help of WSP and Niigaan, a Cree enterprise. The field programs cover several areas: water quality, hydrology, fisheries, soil quality, birds, bats, vegetation, and wetlands. Archaeological assessments and visual evaluations have also been completed.

Consistency with the Company’s expectations has characterized the nearly three-year effort of field data collection. With an extensive environmental database engaged at Shaakichiuwaanaan, attention now shifts to the detailed documentation of the ESIA, which aims for targeted presentation in the third quarter of 2025.

Summary of Survey Work

• Water quality studies established 24 monitoring stations in the Project area, with samples taken six times from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, sediment and benthic invertebrate sampling occurred in the fall of 2024.
• The hydrology program measured water flows and levels at 11 stations installed throughout the area, visited three times yearly since 2022 during different seasonal conditions.
• Fishing activities during the 2024 open water season focused on habitat characterization and fish sampling. Water samples were also collected for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to verify fish presence. Special attention was given to defining legal fish habitat.
• Soil quality assessments included sampling from boreholes within the project footprint and five additional trenches for soil mapping.
• Bird surveys were conducted both remotely and in person, with a 15-day comprehensive survey executed in summer 2024, complemented by acoustic surveys for bat call recordings. A vegetation survey helped identify wetlands and any rare plant species.

• Potential archaeological zones were identified through desktop studies and aerial surveys conducted in 2024. An archaeological field survey is planned for 2025 to verify the presence of cultural artifacts.
• A landscape inventory analyzed light conditions around the area, documenting intrusive light and sky clarity with photographic evidence for future simulation.
• Six locations for noise monitoring have been identified. Baseline noise levels will be established through 24-hour monitoring starting in November, in consultation with the Company’s Cree partners.

Website Update from Patriot Battery Metals

Patriot has made updates to its website to improve transparency regarding its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach and performance. The enhancements, available in both French and English, include new Health & Safety, Environment, Community Relations, and Local & Responsible Procurement policies. The website now features sections detailing the Company’s purpose, vision, and values, along with a dedicated Sustainability Page discussing Health & Safety, Environment, People, and Community & Socio-economic development.

These updates illustrate the Company’s commitment to responsible practices and stakeholder engagement as it moves forward with the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project.

Patriot Battery Metals Advances Environmental Studies for Shaakichiuwaanaan Project

Patriot Battery Metals is set to enhance transparency with a new hub that provides stakeholders direct access to crucial sustainability data, policies, and governance documents.

Progress on Environmental Data Collection

The 2024 spring-summer-fall field work has achieved the most extensive environmental baseline data collection at the site to date. These activities will conclude in November, after which sectoral reporting will be conducted to inform the project’s effects assessment. Looking ahead, a smaller winter-spring field program has been scheduled for 2025 to fulfill obligations outlined in the MELCCFP Guidelines.

The Company remains committed to submitting the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project during the second half of 2025.

Expert Validation of Technical Information

The technical details shared in this announcement regarding the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property have been compiled by Mr. Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo. As a Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Mr. Smith holds valid memberships with both the Ordre des Géologues du Québec (Geologist Permit number 01968) and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (Member number 87868). He has conducted a review and approved the technical content of this news release.

In his role as Executive Vice President of Exploration for Patriot Battery Metals Inc., Mr. Smith holds shares and options in the Company. He possesses the experience relevant to mineralization styles, deposit types, and current operations, qualifying him as a Competent Person as defined by the JORC Code.

About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is dedicated to hard-rock lithium exploration and is advancing its 100%-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property, previously known as Corvette. Located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, this site can be accessed year-round via all-season roads and is close to powerline infrastructure. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Mineral Resource¹ encompasses 80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li₂O Indicated and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li₂O Inferred, marking it as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas and the eighth largest globally. Additionally, the property features multiple spodumene pegmatite clusters, some of which have yet to undergo drilling, as well as extensive areas that still need assessment.

For more information, please contact us at info@patriotbatterymetals.com or call +1 (604) 279-8709. Additionally, visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com for further resources. Don’t forget to check the Company’s continuous disclosure filings on www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au.

This announcement has received approval from the Board of Directors.

“KEN BRINSDEN”

Kenneth Brinsden, President, CEO, & Managing Director

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This document contains “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” as defined by securities laws. The purpose of these statements is to communicate management’s current expectations and plans to help investors understand the Company’s operations and financial condition.

Any statements beyond historical facts regarding strategy, future operations, technical assessments, prospects, and management objectives constitute forward-looking statements that carry inherent risks and uncertainties.

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Patriot Battery Metals Updates on ESG Initiatives and Environmental Data Collection

Company Anticipates Key Developments for the Lithium Project

The following information contains forward-looking statements. Terms like “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” and phrases indicating future results such as “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” or “will” signal this type of statement. In this release, forward-looking statements refer to the ESIA release, the upcoming 2025 winter-spring field program, and expected environmental baseline data collection. These statements rely on various important assumptions that, if incorrect, may lead to actual results significantly differing from those anticipated.

Readers should be aware that the list of assumptions presented is not exhaustive. The Company’s forward-looking statements face certain risks and uncertainties that could adversely impact operations, financial health, and growth potential. One significant risk is the Company’s ability to execute its plans as initially intended, particularly regarding the timeline for the Project. For a more detailed understanding of these risks, readers can consult the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+, which is integrated into this news release.

While the Company endeavors to base expectations on sound assumptions, unforeseen factors may lead to discrepancies between anticipated and actual outcomes. Thus, forward-looking statements may not always prove accurate. These risks should be carefully considered, as they can substantially affect expected results. Given these uncertainties, readers should avoid placing excessive reliance on these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements provided here exist to aid investors in grasping the Company’s objectives and financial condition, and may not serve other purposes.

All forward-looking statements are valid only as of today’s date. The Company has no obligation to update or modify these statements unless required by law. Each forward-looking statement is qualified by these cautionary notes.

COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT (ASX LISTING RULE 5.23)

The mineral resource estimate mentioned in this release complies with ASX Listing Rule 5.8, reported on August 5, 2024. The Company confirms that it has no new information altering the previously reported estimates and that all significant assumptions and technical parameters still hold true.

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SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

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